OT: Jerry Sloan to step down?

[NbdyBeatsTheWiz]

The reasons provided for Sloan stepping down were immature, hard to coach players and a poorly managed organization.... doesn't that currently all but define our Wizards? He isn't going to touch us with a ten foot pole.

I kind of like the fact he coached one team for so long, and went out in the middle of yet another playoff race. Let him ride his horse into retirement.

[is anybody else feeling like their entire universe is less stable with Jeff Fisher and Jerry Sloan both stepping down in the same month? What's next, leaders of entire nations start stepping aside after decades in power??]

[fishercob]

I think Sloan is done. He's the anti-Larry Brown. It seems he believes that he's had his time, it's up, and he can't effectively get through to this generation of players.

Before everyone goes killing Deron Williams, lets remember that the uber-beloved Magic Johnson got a coach fired (Paul Westhead) much more overtly than Williams may have. None of us were there, but based on what's being written by those in the know, this does not strike me at all as "Deron had a power struggle with Sloan and forced Sloan to quit."

Even if Sloan were to coach again, it would *never* happen here with this team -- for the same reasons that all those Jamison-Kirilenko swaps never worked for Utah fans. He couldn't handle guys who don't play defense or guys who weren't cereberal enough in their approach. Blatche/Young/McGee would send him to an early grave.

Here's a crazy thought, though. Phil maintains he's done after this year. Would Sloan chase a ring coaching the Lakers? LA's other options are going to be Phil proteges like B-Shaw and Rambis. Although Sloan hardly screams "tinseltown," is there a better guy to coach all those egos? If larry Brown gets that job I'll puke...

[DCZards]

I've heard that Jerry Sloan can be very tough on his players, to the point of getting into actual fights with them. That being said, he consistently turned out great teams and I think Utah will regret his stepping down for the near and mid-term. I doubt the present Utah lineup can hang together without Sloan at the helm. I bet the really falter down now. Deron Williams may be the next trade drama-mama ala Lebron and Melo and CP. . .

I remember Sloan as a player with Chicago. He and his backcourt mate, the late Norm Van Lier, were two of the toughest SOBs in the game. I Loved the way Sloan and Van Lier played in-your-face D to the point of regularly getting into fights with opponents.

But Sloan may not be the best fit for the current breed of young players. Yes, Williams is apparently a diva but so are about two-thirds of the stars in the NBA. I say, if you're going to dump Flip, get a younger coach who our current players can identify with and vice versa.

[montestewart]

[is anybody else feeling like their entire universe is less stable with Jeff Fisher and Jerry Sloan both stepping down in the same month? What's next, leaders of entire nations start stepping aside after decades in power??]

and then the Wizards will be contenders, when the moon is in the seventh house

How're Sloan's mike skills? Maybe he becomes an analyst?

[fishercob]

Google his HOF induction speech. You'll get your answer quick, monte.

[Ruzious]

Google his HOF induction speech. You'll get your answer quick, monte.

His was about a thousand times better than Michael Jordan's.

[cwb3]

Google his HOF induction speech. You'll get your answer quick, monte.

His was about a thousand times better than Michael Jordan's.

Am I the only one who actually sorta liked MJs HOF speech? I thought he was fiesty and still had an edge about him, still had some grudges and all that. Beats your typical bland HOF speech.

[DCZards]

Google his HOF induction speech. You'll get your answer quick, monte.

His was about a thousand times better than Michael Jordan's.

Am I the only one who actually sorta liked MJs HOF speech? I thought he was fiesty and still had an edge about him, still had some grudges and all that. Beats your typical bland HOF speech.

When I first heard MJ's HOF speech my initial reactiont was "what a mean-spirited, ungracious speech." But after reflecting on it some, I had to give MJ props for being candid and keeping it real--at least from where he stood. You could also argue that MJ had earned the right to say what was on his mind since, in his heyday, he essentially WAS the NBA.

[Ruzious]

Google his HOF induction speech. You'll get your answer quick, monte.

His was about a thousand times better than Michael Jordan's.

Am I the only one who actually sorta liked MJs HOF speech? I thought he was fiesty and still had an edge about him, still had some grudges and all that. Beats your typical bland HOF speech.

I actually like MJ, but his speech was an embarrassment. I don't remember the details, but he showed zippy humility, he whined about inane things like the cost of a table or something that he got stuck paying... the last thing I want in a HOF speach by someone who's wealthier than many countries is to hear him complain about paying a few bucks. He talked about how hard it is for his kids to follow in his awesomeness. Everyone else made heart-rendering speaches about people who sacrificed for them and helped them along the way. In comparison, he came off as a grumpy old f.

[fishercob]

Google his HOF induction speech. You'll get your answer quick, monte.

His was about a thousand times better than Michael Jordan's.

He's just not the most engaging speaker was my point...

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Jerry Sloan is an excellent basketball coach.

Jerry Sloan would be a bad fit for a team built around John Wall.

Wall and Sloan would be a good fit in terms of leadership and work ethic, but a colossally bad fit in terms of how Sloan wants his teams to play (1/2 court, pick and roll)

[Kanyewest]

For example, imagine putting Stockton/Malone on an Eddie Jordan coached "weave & heave" squad.. I somehow doubt their career path would've ended up the same.

Yes because the combo of Arenas and Jamison is somehow comparable to Stockton and Malone

Although it would have been interesting to see a prime Arenas and prime Malone playing with one another.

[fishercob]

I'm not making an argument here, really:

But I find it interesting that Sloan is getting celebrated in his departure, while Larry Drew II is getting eviscerated for how he left Carolina (Seth Davis: Larry Drew's departure disgraceful)

One is young and one is old. One hasn't accomplished much and the other has. But they both left their teams high and dry midseason. The media seems very accepting of Sloan's "i was just time" rationale, while Drew is being castigated for selfishly letting his team down.

Thoughts?

[Ruzious]

I'm not making an argument here, really:

But I find it interesting that Sloan is getting celebrated in his departure, while Larry Drew II is getting eviscerated for how he left Carolina (Seth Davis: Larry Drew's departure disgraceful)

One is young and one is old. One hasn't accomplished much and the other has. But they both left their teams high and dry midseason. The media seems very accepting of Sloan's "i was just time" rationale, while Drew is being castigated for selfishly letting his team down.

Thoughts?

Ouch. Seth was a bit over-the-top with his criticisms of a backup college PG and his parents. It's a little much delving in as far as he did and criticising all of their characters. Let's be honest - Drew II got a lot of criticism the last couple years for being the weak link at UNC. It couldn't have been easy for him there.

Btw, Sloan deserves all of the accolades he's getting and more.

[nate33]

I'm not making an argument here, really:

But I find it interesting that Sloan is getting celebrated in his departure, while Larry Drew II is getting eviscerated for how he left Carolina (Seth Davis: Larry Drew's departure disgraceful)

One is young and one is old. One hasn't accomplished much and the other has. But they both left their teams high and dry midseason. The media seems very accepting of Sloan's "i was just time" rationale, while Drew is being castigated for selfishly letting his team down.

Thoughts?

From our perspective, it may look like Sloan is leaving his team "high and dry" midseason, but I'm sure it didn't really go down that way. It looks like Sloan has had an ongoing dispute with management on how to handle Deron Williams. My guess is that Sloan went to management and made it clear that the status quo could not continue, either management must back Sloan and allow him to discipline Williams properly, or Sloan would quit. Management chose not to back Sloan for fear of losing Williams in free agency in 2012. So Sloan quit. The bottom line is that management had the final say on the matter. They made their choice.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I'm not making an argument here, really:
But I find it interesting that Sloan is getting celebrated in his departure, while Larry Drew II is getting eviscerated for how he left Carolina (Seth Davis: Larry Drew's departure disgraceful)

One is young and one is old. One hasn't accomplished much and the other has. But they both left their teams high and dry midseason. The media seems very accepting of Sloan's "i was just time" rationale, while Drew is being castigated for selfishly letting his team down.

Thoughts?

Ouch. Seth was a bit over-the-top with his criticisms of a backup college PG and his parents. It's a little much delving in as far as he did and criticising all of their characters. Let's be honest - Drew II got a lot of criticism the last couple years for being the weak link at UNC. It couldn't have been easy for him there.

Btw, Sloan deserves all of the accolades he's getting and more.

+1

Those were damning comments by Davis. Drew's parents could just about sue the writer for defaming their character. Egos are certainly bruised at UNC, and maybe the pressure and hurt from losing his spot became overwhelming and Drew felt he had to go. I think he will regret his decision. I quit my HS football team for emotional reasons and because I didn't like being on the bench. My mom even supported the decision. The result? All the team did is win the state championship without me.

In retrospect, if I knew then what I know now I would have been a team player. Rather than FEELING humiliated at being behind a player I thought I was better than I would have thanked God I was part of a great team. I would have respected my own contribution even if it seemed nobody else did I definitely would not have quit the team.

I am sorry that Drew's parents didn't encourage him to stick it out. He almost definitely will regret not sticking it out.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Why share anything negative if it's not useful?

My only message would be to accept leadership and to be a team player. Drew Jr. Is not the player his daddy was and he's clearly not as good as Marshall, the backup PG. While that realization might be crushing to his ego, the young man will have to be at peace with himself and his coaches.

Best advice to Drew Jr. Is be strong, play your game, keep bringing it off the bench or in practice if the coach doesn't play you. See it through to the end of this season and then transfer.

Life requires flexibility but still believe in yourself.